Ishikawa tries to stake claim to first base

Travis Ishikawa wants to prove he should get regular action at first base, and he took a big step in that direction Tuesday night in New York with two home runs and five RBI, both career highs.

Accordingly, it was no surprise that Ishikawa was back at first base Wednesday night in Houston.

With first baseman Mat Gamel lost for the season with a knee injury, manager Ron Roenicke has been rotating three players at that position: Ishikawa, Taylor Green and Brooks Conrad. But Ishikawa hopes nights like Tuesday give him a foot in the door to play more often.

"I've been trying to make that statement ever since Gam went down," Ishikawa said. "All I can do is, when I'm in there, try to do my best and have quality at-bats.

"It's our job to be ready to go in those situations. I've been kind of dealing with that my whole career. I've been a guy who has to always be ready to go."

In 10 previous starts at first base, Ishikawa batted .364 (12-for-33) with four homers and 11 RBI. Against the Astros, he was 0-for-2 with a walk.

Roenicke said he would continue to look at pitcher-hitter matchups in making his decisions at first base but wouldn't mind if one player seizes the day at the position.

"I think there's a time where if somebody does step up, then they'll get more playing time," he said. "That's the only fair way to do it. If somebody's playing great, they're going to be playing."

-----------------------------------------------

MLB Team Report - Milwaukee Brewers - NOTES, QUOTES

--RHP Claudio Vargas, who pitched for the Brewers in 2007, 2009 and 2010, is back in the organization -- primarily to provide depth in the rotation of Class AAA Nashville. Vargas, 33, had been pitching in Mexico.

--RHP Brandon Kintzler, who had a screw inserted in his forearm last season to address a stress fracture, continues to make progress while on a minor-league rehab assignment with Class A Brevard County (Viera, Fla.). In five relief outings there, Kinzler was 0-1 with a 3.60 ERA.

--CF Carlos Gomez (strained hamstring) began a rehab assignment Wednesday with low Class A Wisconsin. Gomez went 0-for-3 with a run scored.

--2B Rickie Weeks hoped to shake loose of a season-long slump after socking a home run Tuesday night in New York to end a 0-for-21 drought. But Weeks went right back into the deep freeze Wednesday in Houston, striking out in all four at-bats.

--C Jonathan Lucroy has been one of the best hitters in the NL with runners in scoring position. He took a .500 batting average (11-for-22) into play Wednesday. Even off the bench, Lucroy delivered in Houston, ripping a two-run, pinch-hit triple.

BY THE NUMBERS: 7 -- Consecutive quality starts by the rotation prior to a rough outing Wednesday by LHP Randy Wolf (seven runs in four innings) in Houston.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "My control has been good the last two starts. That's the main key -- not making a lot of mistakes and holding them to singles for the most part. Just trying to make good pitches. I've been able to do that the last two starts." -- RHP Zack Greinke, who has thrown 15 shutout innings in his last two outings.

-----------------------------------------------

MLB Team Report - Milwaukee Brewers - ROSTER REPORT

MEDICAL WATCH:

--SS Alex Gonzalez (torn right anterior cruciate ligament) went on the 15-day disabled list May 6. He is out for the season. He will have surgery May 15.

--1B Mat Gamel (torn right anterior cruciate ligament) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to May 2, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on May 6. His surgery has not been scheduled because swelling in the knee has not subsided.

--OF Carlos Gomez (strained right hamstring) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to May 5. He is began a rehab assignment with low Class A Wisconsin on May 16.

--RHP Brandon Kintzler (right elbow inflammation) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 26. He began a rehab assignment with Class A Brevard County on May 1.

--LHP Chris Narveson (left rotator cuff tear) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 16, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on April 29. He underwent season-ending surgery May 1.